Engaging Young Students in Reading

Mendham Township, NEW JERSEY (January 21, 2020) – Two times a year, students in second, third, and fourth Grade are treated to a “Book Tasting” at the Mendham Township Elementary School (MTES) Library. Ms. Tracy Newton, MTES Media Specialist, redecorates the school library to resemble a charming restaurant, the “Tiger Cafe.” There are several round tables, each with four chairs, set up to simulate a dining area. Each table has a centerpiece, placemats, and menus. Look closely at the centerpiece and you will that it features a particular literary genre, e.g., non-fiction, fantasy, realistic fiction, historical fiction. Each place setting includes several books related to that table’s particular reading genre. Finally, each menu at the table can be used by a student to capture their initial assessment of each book, based upon a few minutes browsing. While scanning the menu, students receive gentle prompts to consider what they like about a book and what was surprising or interesting about a book. Ms. Newton manages the library period so that students can have an opportunity to rotate to each table and spend an equal amount of time “Book Tasting” each literary genre.

The first Book Tasting is hosted in January and the event is repeated again in June (right before the school year concludes). While a popular idea, Ms. Newton has extended this idea as an opportunity to collaborate with the local Mendham Township Library in engaging young students in reading. Students learn that once they have identified books of interest they can check out these books either at the MTES School Library or at the local Mendham Township Library. The second Book Tasting in June is coordinated with the Mendham Township Library’s Summer Reading Program. Every day, students are tempted to spend more time looking at screens. The Book Tasting encourages students to put down their smart devices and explore and discuss books that are assets available both in school and in their local library.

Another way Ms. Newton engages students in reading is that she coordinates the school’s participation in the Garden State Children’s Book Awards. This statewide project encourages students to read different books and then cast their vote for their favorite book.

Finally the students at MTES are lucky to have a school library that overlooks the school’s Outdoor Learning Center! What better way to spend a chilly afternoon, curled up with a favorite fiction or non-fiction book, debating with friends what makes their particular book so interesting, all while watching the recent snow squalls in Mendham!